As many know, when arrested for a crime in Oklahoma, you will be charged with either a misdemeanor or a felony. Misdemeanors are considered less severe than felonies and thus carry a lighter sentence, with any jail sentence being one year or less. However, being charged with a felony in Oklahoma is much more serious and almost always carries severe penalties, sentences, and long-term consequences that can last for years—even after the punishment has been served.
Types of Felonies
Many don’t realize that Oklahoma is one of the few states that still doesn’t categorize felonies by levels of severity, such as first, second, and third-degree. So, a felony is a felony.
There are numerous crimes that are considered felonies in the state of Oklahoma, including (but not limited to):
- Drug Crimes
- Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance
- Rape
- Sex Crimes
- Robbery
- Child Abuse
- White Collar Crimes
- Embezzlement
- Grand Theft
Consequences of a Felony Conviction
Aside from fines and jail time, there are numerous consequences that may come as a result of a conviction of a felony in Oklahoma, many of which carry over into the matters of everyday life. For example, convicted felons in Oklahoma can’t become realtors, chiropractors, nurses, accountants, lawyers, and the list goes on and on.
Convicted felons may also be barred from things like serving on a jury, owning a firearm, and receiving federal housing funding.
Furthermore, the conviction will remain on your public record, which may be seen by potential employers and landlords. (Read more about expungements here.)
Key Things to Know if Arrested and Charged with a Felony in Oklahoma
If you find yourself facing felony charges, there are some key things you should be aware of, as there are certain constitutional rights that take effect once you have been arrested.
- First and foremost, you have the right not to answer questions from law enforcement; always ask for a lawyer.
- If you have been detained for questioning relating to a felony, you have the right to ask for a lawyer to be present during the questioning—a right you should absolutely leverage before answering anything whatsoever.
Regardless of the charges, and regardless of your guilt or culpability, you need to immediately retain the services of a competent and proven defense attorney who can step and protect your rights and immediately begin building a case for your defense. Make no mistake about it: your freedom and future depend on this.
Your legal representation will make all the difference
When facing felony charges in Oklahoma, you need an aggressive and knowledgeable attorney on your side. Securing legal representation from a proven, competent law firm specializing in criminal defense is absolutely essential in successfully fighting the charges or reducing the accompanying sentence.
The lawyers at Overman Legal Group are experienced in handling all types of felony cases. Our team will account for all the facts in your favor and aggressively pursue the best possible resolution while navigating the complexities of the justice system to mitigate any long-term effects resulting from being charged.
Don’t leave your case in the hands of ineffective or apathetic counsel. Our dedicated, award-winning attorneys will always exhaust every resource on your behalf to secure a favorable outcome in your case.
